Chapter 5

“Sir, the company is experiencing a production failure!”

The panic in William’s assistant’s voice rang clearly through the phone, causing William—who had just reached for the doorknob—to freeze instantly.

“What do you mean production failure?” William’s voice tightened. “Wasn’t everything fine?”

On the other end, the sound of hurriedly shuffled papers and restless footsteps could be heard.

“Previously, Madam was the one who always inspected the factory directly, Sir,” the assistant explained nervously. “Yesterday there was a technical error. The main machine didn’t start due to a calibration mistake. Production came to a complete stop, and today’s target was not achieved.”

William fell silent.

His face hardened.

“Why didn’t anyone double-check it?” he demanded sharply.

“They did, Sir. But Madam usually performed the final inspection before full production began. No one replaced her role yesterday.”

The sentence felt like a hard slap.

Just one day.

Only one day after Camelia left, and the company was already facing a production failure.

William slowly lowered his phone, his breathing heavy. He had never truly realized how significant Camelia’s role was in the company. He knew his wife was intelligent, meticulous, and disciplined—but he had always treated her presence as something guaranteed. Something that would never disappear.

“How big is the loss?” William finally asked, his voice lower but filled with pressure.

“We’re still calculating, Sir. But if production doesn’t return to normal within two days, two major clients may cancel their contracts.”

William’s chest tightened.

If those two major clients walked away, the company’s reputation could collapse. Investors might pull out. The chain of problems would only grow larger.

“I’m going to the office now,” William said firmly.

“Yes, Sir.”

The call ended.

William stood motionless for several seconds. His thoughts were no longer just about Camelia as the wife who had left—but about Camelia as the person who had been the main pillar of his company all along.

He clenched his fists.

He didn’t want to go bankrupt.

He didn’t want to lose everything he had built over the years.

And for the first time since Camelia left, he admitted one thing in his heart—he needed her.

Not just to fix the production issue.

But to save everything.

William grabbed his car keys. He had to find her. He had to apologize. If that was the only way to stabilize everything again, he would do it.

But before he could step out, Serena appeared from the bedroom, her face no longer sweet or playful.

“Where are you going?” she asked sharply.

“There’s a problem at the company,” William replied briefly.

Serena crossed her arms over her chest. “A problem? Or are you going to look for Camelia?”

William turned slightly, glancing at her. “This is business.”

“Don’t lie to me,” Serena’s voice rose. “You’re going to look for Camelia, aren’t you?”

William remained silent.

His silence was the answer.

Serena let out a small laugh, but it sounded bitter. “She’s only been gone for one day and your company is already in chaos. Now you realize how important she is?”

“This isn’t about that,” William said firmly, though his voice felt heavy.

“Then what is it about?” Serena stepped closer. “Your ego refusing to lose? Or your fear of going bankrupt?”

The word bankrupt made William tighten his jaw.

“I will not let this company collapse,” he said coldly.

“And you think only Camelia can save it?” Serena mocked.

William did not answer.

Because deep down, he knew the answer was yes.

Serena stared at him sharply, insecurity now clearly visible on her face. “If you go looking for her, don’t expect me to wait for you.”

William gripped the doorknob.

All the decisions he had made were finally demanding consequences.

His home was empty.

His company was unstable.

And now the woman he had cheated with was demanding certainty.

William turned slightly, his voice low but resolute.

“I have to find her.”